What AEP Award Winners are Saying

“Receiving the 2026 Achievement of Excellence in Procurement Award is a milestone we’re extremely proud of at the Brazos River Authority, especially since this was our first time applying and our first time being recognized. This honor affirms our team’s commitment to strengthening our procurement program and serving our organization with integrity and transparency. The application process itself was valuable, giving us an opportunity to reflect on our accomplishments and identify areas for continued growth, and I would encourage any public procurement organization to apply—the experience is well worth the effort.”
Bryan Gray, Purchasing Manager, Brazos River Authority

“I have been working for the County for the last three years, and I have listed as one of our Department goals to submit the NPI application this year. This Application has helped us to improve our internal processes and procedures. This achievement in the Excellence in Procurement Award shows our level of commitment in the Procurement Professional field. I want to thank the National Procurement Institute for its guidance, and I encourage other Agencies to participate in the AEP application and become NPI members. “
Ignacio Amezcua MBA, CTCM, CTCD, Purchasing Director, Hidalgo County Purchasing Department

"Receiving the 2026 Achievement of Excellence in Procurement Award as a first-time recipient is a meaningful milestone for the Public Works Contract Administration team at the City of Carlsbad. It is rewarding to have our ongoing efforts to strengthen procurement and contract administration practices recognized through this award. This recognition reflects the dedication of our team and the collaboration we have with our project managers, client departments, and support departments. We are grateful for this honor and remain committed to continuous improvement and supporting the successful delivery of public works projects for our community."
Eleida Felix Yackel, BSBM, MPA, Senior Contract Administrator, City of Carlsbad

“I am pleased to report that 2026 marks the fourth time that Public Procurement Agency has been a recipient of the AEP award. Its significance has only increased over time, as we strive to keep pace with other procurement organizations focused on continuous improvement. The Agency views the AEP award as both an important validation of our efforts and an inspiration for further growth. We are grateful to have an opportunity to showcase those efforts and recognize the professionalism and dedication of our entire procurement team. This achievement reinforces our commitment to innovation, transparency and accountability in best value procurement.”
Frank Butler, Chief Procurement Officer | Public Procurement Agency, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador

“Receiving the 2026 Achievement of Excellence in Procurement Award is an incredible honor for the City of Ennis. What makes this recognition especially meaningful is that just three years ago, the City did not have a dedicated Purchasing Department. Today, our procurement program is led by a department of one that has developed comprehensive purchasing policies, standardized procurement processes, implemented technology-driven solutions, strengthened transparency and accountability, and established best practices that now guide procurement across the entire organization. Earning the AEP Award as a first-time recipient validates that excellence is not determined by the size of a department, but by its commitment to innovation, integrity, and continuous improvement. We hope our journey encourages other small agencies to recognize that with dedication and a vision for excellence, even the smallest procurement operation can achieve national recognition and make a lasting impact on the communities it serves.”
Katrinia Roberson, MBA, NIGP-CPP, CTCM, Senior Purchasing Manager , City of Ennis

“Earning NPI’s 2026 AEP Award is a tremendous honor that elevates my team and I on a national level, showcasing our unwavering commitment to the highest procurement standards of ethics, professionalism, impartiality, transparency, accountability, and service. More importantly, it reflects the hard work, dedication, and expertise of my procurement team. This recognition reinforces our commitment to delivering fair, ethical, and efficient procurement practices that build public trust and create lasting value for the community we proudly serve.”
Ivelsa Guzman, MBA, NIGP-CPP, CPPB, FCCM, Purchasing Manager, City of Boca Raton

“The City of Sterling Heights prides itself in being a leader in Michigan Municipal operations, so as recipient of the Achievement of Excellence in Procurement® Award, it solidifies that the Purchasing Office holds itself to the highest standards set by procurement professionals across the nation. This award could not have been achieved without having a dedicated team with a solid foundation of procurement best practices. The mindset in the Purchasing Office is always - efficiency, transparency, and the public’s best interest. Receiving this award instills that the Sterling Heights Purchasing Office will continuously improve, innovate, and provide the highest value services to the residents and businesses within our City.”
Erik Skurda, Purchasing Manager, City of Sterling Heights

“Earning the 2026 Achievement of Excellence in Procurement Award is a tremendous honor for Moulton Niguel Water District and a milestone that reflects the dedication, collaboration, and professionalism of our entire procurement team. As a first-time recipient, this recognition validates our commitment to continuous improvement, ethical procurement practices, and delivering value to the organization and the community we serve. This accomplishment reflects not only the dedication of our procurement team, but also the collaborative efforts of employees throughout the organization who support and contribute to our shared commitment to excellence. We are incredibly proud of this achievement and look forward to building on this success as we continue advancing the procurement profession.”
Lisa Marroquin, Procurement and Contracts Manager, Moulton Niguel Water District

“Earning the 2026 Achievement of Excellence in Procurement® Award for the first time is a proud milestone for our agency. It affirms the dedication of our procurement team and the intentional work we’ve put into strengthening our processes, embracing innovation, and delivering greater value to our community. This recognition motivates us to continue raising the bar, fostering transparency, and championing best practices that support responsible stewardship of public resources.”
Victoria Moyer, CPPB, NIGP-CPP, Deputy Director, Beaufort County

“Receiving the Achievement of Excellence in Procurement Award is a tremendous honor and a meaningful milestone for the City of Santa Ana. As a first-time applicant, this recognition validates our Purchasing Division's commitment to continuous improvement, innovation, and excellence in public procurement. What makes this achievement especially meaningful is that it was accomplished by a small team through our own initiative, dedication, and collaboration. In the span of a single year, we independently set out to elevate our procurement program by studying industry best practices, pursuing professional certifications, strengthening our policies and procedures, and implementing meaningful process improvements—all while continuing to support the City's day-to-day procurement needs. Earning the AEP Award reflects the passion, professionalism, and resilience of our team and reinforces our commitment to operating as a best-in-class procurement organization. We are proud of what we have accomplished and remain committed to continuously raising the standard of excellence in service to our organization and community. We hope this recognition encourages other agencies—regardless of size or available resources—to invest in their teams, pursue excellence, and celebrate the meaningful impact procurement professionals make every day.”
Colette Ayala, Purchasing Supervisor, City of Santa Ana

"Earning the AEP Award for the first time means more to us than the recognition itself, the process brought our team together in a way we did not anticipate. Working through the criteria forced honest conversations about where we stood, what we had built, and where we still had room to grow. What we came away with was not just an award, but a shared foundation and a clearer direction for where we are headed. For any agency considering the AEP, our encouragement would be this: the value is in the work, not just the outcome."
Jason Cutshaw, CPM, FCCN, Director of Purchasing, Walton County

“The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) is honored and delighted to receive the 2026 Achievement of Excellence in Procurement® (AEP) Award from the National Procurement Institute (NPI) for the first time in UAH's history. This prestigious recognition is a significant milestone that reflects UAH's unwavering commitment to excellence, innovation, and integrity in public procurement. Earning the AEP Award affirms the dedication of the UAH Procurement team to implementing best practices, embracing continuous improvement, and delivering exceptional value through transparent, ethical, and strategic procurement processes. The rigorous standards established by the NPI represent the highest level of professionalism in public procurement, and UAH is proud to have its efforts recognized at this distinguished level. UAH is grateful to NPI for this distinguished honor and looks forward to building upon this accomplishment as UAH continues to advance procurement excellence.”
Carla R. Byrd, CPPO, CPPB, JD, MBA, Sr. Director of Procurement & Business Services, The University of Alabama in Huntsville

“The City of Richmond Hill is proud to be recognized with the 2026 Achievement of Excellence in Procurement® Award on our first application. This achievement reflects our commitment to innovation, transparency, collaboration, and continuous improvement in public procurement. It is a testament to the hard work of our Procurement Services team and our organizational focus on delivering best value and advancing procurement excellence for the benefit of our community. We are honored to receive this recognition and remain committed to continuously raising the bar for public sector procurement.”

Rishab Nagpal, Procurement Business Analyst, City of Richmond Hill

“Receiving the 2026 Achievement of Excellence in Procurement Award as a first-time recipient is a significant milestone for the City of Niagara Falls and a testament to the hard work, dedication, and commitment our procurement team has demonstrated over the past few years. This recognition reflects the continuous efforts we have made to strengthen procurement practices, enhance transparency, implement innovative solutions, and build a strategic procurement function that delivers value to both the organization and the community. Achieving this award validates the progress we have made through collaboration, perseverance, and a shared commitment to excellence. We are proud to be recognized among leading public agencies and encourage other organizations to pursue this opportunity. The application process itself is a valuable exercise in reflecting on achievements, identifying opportunities for growth, and showcasing the positive impact that effective public procurement can have on the communities we serve.”

Karen Judd, Senior Manager of Strategic Procurement & Initiatives, City of Niagara Falls

"Earning the Achievement of Excellence in Procurement Award for the first time is a tremendous honor for Texas State Technical College and a proud milestone for our Procurement Services team. This recognition affirms what we have worked hard to build, a procurement function grounded in transparency, innovation, and a genuine commitment to best value for the students, faculty, and communities we serve across Texas. From implementing automated procurement technology to strengthening our competitive sourcing processes, every improvement we have made has been driven by a desire to elevate the profession and deliver results that matter. We are deeply grateful to NPI for this recognition and hope our journey inspires other institutions, especially those in higher education, to invest in procurement excellence as a strategic institutional priority. This award belongs to every member of our team whose dedication made it possible."

Catherine Lopez, Senior Strategic Sourcing Specialist, Texas State Technical College

“Receiving the 2026 Achievement of Excellence in Procurement (AEP) Award as a first-time recipient is an incredible honor for our Contracts & Procurement team and the Santa Maria-Bonita School District. Procurement is often the silent partner within an organization, with much of our work happening behind the scenes and the value we bring not always visible to those we serve. This award provides an opportunity to showcase the strategic value procurement brings to public agencies. A procurement department's role is unique in that we balance two equally important responsibilities: partnering with departments to help them achieve their goals and serving as stewards of public funds. We fulfill these responsibilities by ensuring that every procurement is conducted with integrity, transparency, and in the best interest of our organization and the communities we serve. Earning the AEP Award validates our team's commitment to these principles and demonstrates that procurement is about far more than purchasing goods and services; it is about building trust, creating value, and strengthening public confidence in how taxpayer dollars are invested. I encourage every agency to pursue the AEP Award because the application process itself is an invaluable opportunity to reflect on your accomplishments, identify growth opportunities, and continuously strengthen your procurement program.”

Patricia McKnight, C.P.M., Director of Contracts & Procurement, Santa Maria-Bonita School District

“Receiving the 2026 Achievement of Excellence in Procurement® Award is a meaningful milestone for our organization and a testament to our team's commitment to excellence, innovation, and continuous improvement in public procurement. As a first-time recipient, this recognition validates our efforts to strengthen our procurement practices, deliver greater value to our stakeholders, and uphold the highest standards of professionalism and integrity. We are honored to be recognized and hope this achievement inspires other agencies to pursue continuous improvement and the positive impact it can have on the communities they serve.”

Diana Khan, CPPB, Training and Administration Manager, Lee County